exploration mingle: CAPTIVITY

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: exploration mingle: rescue mission!
when: June 15 - August 15
where: The River Structure
warnings: violence and/or torture; please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

captivity

One of the major and most highly-valued cultural concepts in Riverview is that of exploration, expansion. Especially now that, with the recent influx of new arrivals, as the portal kicks into high gear for reasons not entirely known, the Inhabited City, already comfortably full, is rapidly becoming overpopulated. With all the refugees from other worlds pouring in from day to day, the city's safe space and resources are being taxed to their breaking point.

Right now, exploration and expansion is key, and each month, the government has decided to focus on a particular objective, in order to unite citizens in expanding, securing, and supplying the city for everyone's benefit.

the story so far

Exploration & Expansion Progress Report ● The Guardians of the Deep ● What Lies Beneath ● Plotting & Questions

After some serious flooding at the banks of the river, the cause was discovered to be the Guardians of the Deep, creatures protecting a circular labyrinthine structure underneath the river. Residents of the city explored and mapped the structure, and dealt with a good portion of the traps and other dangers, until they found a little piece of history in the Central Chamber of the structure, revealing that it was inhabited by the first people to live on the moon.

While this news has been exciting scholars and historians in the city, something a little more pressing has been bothering the average citizen - an ever-increasing number of missing persons. People have simply been disappearing all over the city, and only now are residents starting to realize why...

how it works

● Phases: Each prompt is a different phase of the operation. Characters may partake in whichever part of the operation they choose, whether it is a large and prominent part, or a more of a backseat or support role. Characters may participate in as many phases as they wish.

● Completion: When next month's exploration mingle goes up, the mission featured on this exploration mingle will be considered complete, and game canon, providing the entry has 200+ comments on it.

● Entry Reward: The reward for completion of this month's exploration objective will be...well, the safe return of everyone who was kidnapped. And some sweet hurt/comfort.

● IMPORTANT NOTE: Having observed how the pacing of exploration mingles has been going and how they are tagged, I have noticed that posting one exploration mingle each month has been a little hectic, both plotwise and for me as a mod (writing three mingles a month has been tough!). I have decided to space them out a bit further, and post an exploration mingle once every two months, starting with this one - the next exploration mingle will be posted in August!

phase i: the abducted

People don't simply go missing, they don't disappear into thin air, they have to be somewhere. And while those who are missing people keep frantically searching, those who have been kidnapped are the only ones besides the kidnappers who do know where they are.

Abducted by a group who have taken up residence in the structure under the city after last month's exploration died down, the missing are trapped in the Central Chamber, in fear of the kidnappers. Their abductors are a group of people that is starting to slowly take on cultist tendencies, believing that the remaining spirits of the First People still live in the structure, that it is a temple, and that those First People need offerings of host bodies to inhabit so they can return and bring their wisdom and magic back to the moon. Things are getting a little hairy - there's no agreement among the kidnappers as to how 'intact' the host bodies have to be and whether or not the sacrifice is in the form of alive or dead captives. Even worse, some of the kidnappers are only with the group to enjoy having power over others and using it to hurt them.

Captives are held in the Central Chamber of the structure, with next to no amenities. Blankets, food, water, and other necessities are in short supply, and they are kept huddled together, constantly guarded and either restrained, wearing or in the presence of a power suppressor to keep them subdued. But the captives haven't lost hope - they are working on getting a message out, finding a way to contact the outside world so their loved ones can rescue them...

This prompt is to play out interactions among the captives before they are rescued, and may include violence or other character suffering. It is also to enact plotted plans for the abductees to find connections with the outside world to summon help.

phase ii: distraction and infiltration

Once would-be rescuers become aware of where the captives are being held, they start making plans to rescue them - whether someone they love has been taken, they're just a good person, or they just want to feel like a big damn hero, there are lots of people willing to take the plunge and jump into the rescue. But the cult group has been in control of the structure for a while now, they definitely have the home team advantage. They know the lay of the land and where the traps are, and have used some of them to their own advantage.

It's not going to be as easy as storming the castle.

There are two parts to this phase of the rescue: a distraction and an infiltration. Distractions are planned to draw as many of the kidnappers away from the hostages being held in the Central Chamber as possible, while those who are stealthily infiltrating will try to find another entrance into the chamber so they can surprise and surround the remaining kidnappers.

This prompt is to play out any plans for distraction and infiltration. If you have plotted something out on the plotting post, feel free to post up a header for specific groups for threading rather than an individual character top-level.

phase iii: the brawl and after

Distractions only last so long, unfortunately, and so eventually the whole thing is going to break down into a big fight. Rescuers versus kidnappers, on the kidnappers' home turf, and surrounded by traps left over from the First People, while pieces of stationary tech throw out auras and waves of power suppression. It's going to be a doozy of a fight, so prepare for an epic throwdown!

And once the dust settles, there's going to be a lot of injuries to tend to, a lot of people traumatized and hurt and frightened. A lot of hungry, suffering people will need to be transported out, given medical care, and brought supplies.

This prompt is to play out the final fight between the kidnapping cult and the rescuers, as well as anything in the aftermath of the fight.

phase iv: wildcard

Have an idea for a mission-adjacent plot, or want to make up an unexpected plot twist or problem and solve it with your character? Just write up a starter, and don't forget to give yourself props by submitting it for the Progress Report.

navigation
[Asterion - Environment Art: Ariadne's Forest by Nicolas Mendoza]

Comments

Harry Goodsir | The Terror (TV)

[bestsir]

phase 1a
After the cultists throw Goodsir into the Central Chamber—almost literally, shoving him so hard that his feet leave the ground and he falls hard—he manages to just push himself to his hands and knees, but can't go any further. His heart is racing, he's gulping for breath, and there are tears starting in his eyes. It's what people far in Goodsir's future would recognise as a panic attack, but to him, it's simply a breakdown.

phase 1b
After Goodsir has recovered from his panic, he spends his time tending to others—doing his best to treat their injuries and offering comfort where he can.

phase 3
During the fight, Goodsir stays on the sidelines, trying to keep people safe and dragging the injured to safety if needed. Afterward, he helps the other medics tend to the wounded—performing triage, administering first aid—and as long as he stays busy, he's fine. But once things start to quiet down, the trembling starts again, and someone might find him sitting shaking in a dark corner.

phase 3

[jolting]

Victor had been training a bit in fighting since the last outing into the labyrinth, but he still stayed out of the way as much as he could. It killed him to not be involved in that, but James was out there, and that settled his panicked mind a little. But he was doing much the same as Harry: keeping himself busy so he won't have time to really absorb what could have happened down there.

And a good distraction would be talking to a fellow medic. "You're still pretty new to the Quarantine, right? I've been here almost six months, so I'm starting to get to be familiar with faces."

[bestsir]

"I am, yes." He starts to offer his hand, then pauses to discreetly wipe it first. "Dr Harry Goodsir. I believe I've seen you at the hospital; I have the privilege to serve as the Riverview coroner."

[jolting]

"Doctor Victor Frankenstein," he offered back, shaking the other's hand. "I sort of fill in wherever they need me. Can't say I've gone down to the morgue much, though." Not that he thought he would be tempted to start up his work again, but best to keep his distance anyway.

"Let's hope you don't have much to do today, doctor."

[bestsir]

The name Victor Frankenstein might have been more of a shock if Alex Reagan hadn't already prepared him for it. As it is, there's only a moment of wide-eyed surprise—he's not at all like I'd have imagined—before Goodsir resets.

"Yes; I generally prefer to not be idle, but today I would that I were." He takes another look around to see if he's needed, but at the moment, not yet; he returns his attention to Victor. "I believe we have an acquaintance in common—Miss Alex Reagan?"

[jolting]

He noted the surprise and smiled a little. It was always hit-or-miss when he introduced himself with his real name. Since this guy would see him around the hospital, Victor went with that rather than give his cursed name.

"Yes, I know Alex. I helped her get some information on this virus that was going around last month." He'd been worried about her and knew they would have a lot of work ahead of them after this incident. He couldn't see this being any good for her sleep.

"You... ah. You were kidnapped too," Victor concluded. "You had anyone to look you over yet?"

[bestsir]

As it happens, Goodsir has—as usual—spent a lot more time fussing over others than getting himself seen to. A little ruefully, he rubs the back of his head.

"Earlier, yes, but—" He rubs the back of his head ruefully. "Otherwise there has been rather too much to do, this last day or so."

phase 1a

[analienprince]

"Hey--"

Teddy might not be an expert, but-- he thinks he knows a panic attack when he sees one. Cautiously, he approaches the other man, not wanting to scare him off or anything.

"Hey, are you okay? I can help you up if you want--"

[bestsir]

He doesn't hear the young man at first, but slowly becomes aware that someone is speaking to him. He looks up, tries to speak. "I am—I—"

He shakes his head. No, he is not—to use the word that is new to him and, he thinks, appealingly useful—okay. "A moment—" he says. Getting the word out feels like coughing up something in his throat.

[analienprince]

Teddy hesitates before he slowly sinks down next to the man, a comfortable distance away just in case he doesn't want anyone crowding him. "I know it's hard, but-- sometimes it helps if you just focus on taking slow breaths, on relaxing as much as you can."

[bestsir]

He almost laughs at relaxing, since that's the farthest thing from his mind right now, but it comes out as a sort of strangled cough. Still—he can at least try to breathe. He nods.

In his mind, he counts—four in, four out—and tries to match his breath to the count. It's a struggle, but after a while it starts to work. He's at least able to get off his hands and knees and sit back, and he buries his face in his hands.

[analienprince]

Teddy shifts a little, tugging his knees up to his chest once the older man seems to start to relax. "It's-- a lot to deal with, I know. This isn't the first time I've been a prisoner."

And he doesn't blame anyone for freaking out...

"Uh, I read in one of my mom's old self help books one time that if you focus on relaxing each part of your body bit by bit and keep your breathing steady, it helps. Of course that wasn't taking into account any crazy cultists wanting to beat you up at the first sign you're getting comfortable, so... that's probably bad advice"

[bestsir]

Goodsir lowers his hands and gives the young man a small, shaky smile. "It is advice kindly meant and well-taken," he says. His hands are still trembling and he folds them together to hide it. "I—I am no stranger to captivity myself," he admits, looking at the floor. "But it seems that previous experience is no safeguard against dread."

[panacean]

[ Carson has gotten used to scenes of carnage and swaths of wounded during his time in Atlantis. He has a job to do and he does it, grateful for the assistance of his fellow medical professionals and keeping his tone even, his demeanor calm, and his work brisk.

Eventually, though, things start to quiet, and he has a moment to see one of those fellow medical professionals curled in on himself in the shadows. Carson approaches cautiously, medical kit in hand and voice gentle. He knows this man isn't one of the ones that came in with the rescuers. He didn't see him until after the fight had already started. ]

Hello there. Have you been looked at yourself?

[bestsir]

[ After hours of seeing to people, Goodsir's reservoir of fortitude—already suffering a drought from his days of captivity—is well and truly depleted. It's gotten to the point where all he can see when he looks at an injured man or woman is Morfin's corpse, or poor comatose Heather, or Blanky's leg, or ... worse. There's a moment where it seems that no one needs him, and everything seems to strike him all at once, like a physical blow. He sinks back against the nearest wall, his hands shaking, his forehead slick with sweat.

If ever I was a doctor, I am one no longer.

Even if God is seeing every last thing we do here, you have nothing to fear. Not you.
You're clean, Goodsir. Clean. Even as your hand is forced by swine.

Someone is speaking to him. He looks up, recognizes Carson by sight if not by name. He hesitates, then shakes his head. ]

There has been too—too much to do, I fear.

[panacean]

[ Shock, Carson thinks. Shock, the trauma of the last few days or the last week or longer catching up to this man when he's got a moment too many to think.

Carson crouches slowly in front of him, still calm and gentle. ] No more for you, not until you've been looked at yourself, aye?

[ He glances at the man's shaking hands, then back to his face. He's already running through the types of injuries that could cause hand tremors, even though he thinks emotional distress is the more likely culprit. ] Do I have your permission to do an exam?

[bestsir]

[ When Harry Goodsir was younger, he made a conscious effort to file away his own Scots accent. It seemed to disappoint his father and his brothers found it risible—but he thought, not entirely without reason, that if he were to show up in London sounding like he'd just arrived from Fife, he might not make nearly as much headway with the Royal Society as he would have liked. And indeed, Dr. Stanley seemed to take him at least a modicum more seriously for not sounding like a bumpkin—insofar as Stanley took anyone of lower rank seriously, at any rate.

But Beckett's voice now is an echo of his youth, at a moment when he needs it very badly, and he thinks that he need not fear seeming weak in front of him. ]

Aye. [ It slips out and he smiles weakly. ] Y—yes. Thank you.

[ The wound at the back of his head that he incurred when he was captured is still healing, and he is covered with bruises, cuts, and scrapes from the rough handling he has endured in captivity. But there is nothing more serious than that. ]

[panacean]

[ A smile breaks across Carson's face at the unexpected moment of brotherhood. ] Well, then, let's have a look at you.

[ Carson does his best to give an examination that's thorough without being publicly invasive. All in all, Harry doesn't seem too bad off, which is nice. There have been some people today that have almost made him want to break his oaths when he looked after a pair of cultists with gunshot wounds. ] Looks like you'll need a bit of stitching, but you're well enough elsewise.

[ He drags his kit over and rearranges himself, kneeling at Harry's side so he can clean the injury and get to work. He doesn't have any numbing agent left, which is an unwelcome discovery. ] This will sting a mite. Whereabouts are you from?

[ Keep the stranger talking, hopefully keep this from hurting too terribly much. ]

[bestsir]

[ Harry Goodsir comes from an era where anaesthetic consisted largely of a generous swig of whisky and a stick to bite on. Usually he's on the other end of the needle (or scalpel, or saw), but he's probably more mentally prepared for the pain than some people might be. ]

My family's from Anstruther. [ Which he says as Ainster, as the natives do. ] Father and grandfather alike were doctors. And three of my brothers.

[ He forces himself to keep talking as Carson works, though occasionally he has to pause for a deep breath or a small noise of pain. ]

I went to university in Edinburgh. Trained as an anatomist.

phase 1b

[mistyday]

Misty is a bit of a mess: her right eye is swollen shut, she's got a limp (sprained ankle most likely, nothing broken, thankfully), and bruises all over from when she was fighting off their captors. Not to mention, she's had hardly any food, only what others have been able to share with her, which is not much. Weakened, she's curled up in a corner of the room, her shaw serving as a makeshift pillow. When Goodsir gets to her, she tries to smile up at him, but it ends up as more of a wince. "Hey. Come to fix me?"

[bestsir]

They're not paying much attention to him now, and so Goodsir is trying to make some semblance of rounds to do what he can with half his water ration and some torn strips of clothing. He kneels beside Misty and puts a hand on her forehead, gently examining the swollen eye.

"I will try my best," he says, wincing in sympathy. "How else are you injured?"

[mistyday]

"My ankle. It hurts like hell when I try to stand." She straightens herself up more now, almost proud. "I wasn't gonna let them take me without a fight."

[bestsir]

He puts a hand on her shoulder. "Try not to move." He sits down by her ankle and begins gently probing it to see if there are any fractures.

"I hope that you gave as good as you got."

[mistyday]

"Knocked one of them out before they got me." She hisses as he touches her ankle but she resists pulling away. She knows how important it is to let a healer do their work. "'S why they won't give me any food."

[bestsir]

“A sprain,” he murmurs, and begins wrapping her ankle with quick, deft movements. “When did you eat last at all?” he asks.